Observation of methoxy species on the Si(111)(7 × 7) surface — A vibrational study

Chemisorption of methanol on the Si(111)(7×7) surface has been studied at ∼ 300 K using high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy. Methanol reacts with the Si(111) surface to form the stable surface species SiOCH3 and SiH. The methoxy species (CH3O) is bonded to the Si surface with a covalent bond formed between its oxygen end and the dangling bond of the Si(111) surface atom. A structural model for methanol chemisorbed on the Si(111) is proposed.